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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 16:12–16

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
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Cross References

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From verse 12

  1. Proverbs 25:5Rank 1 from verse 12
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    5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

  2. Proverbs 29:14Rank 2 from verse 12
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    14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

  3. Luke 12:48Rank 3 from verse 12
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    48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  4. Proverbs 28:9Rank 4 from verse 12
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    9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

  5. Deuteronomy 25:16Rank 5 from verse 12
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    16For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

  6. Proverbs 20:18Rank 6 from verse 12
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    18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

  7. Psalms 99:4Rank 7 from verse 12
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    4The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

  8. Revelation 19:11Rank 8 from verse 12
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    11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

From verse 13

  1. Proverbs 14:35Rank 1 from verse 13
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    35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

  2. Proverbs 22:11Rank 2 from verse 13
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    11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

  3. Psalms 101:5–7Rank 3 from verse 13
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    5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

    6Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

    7He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

From verse 14

  1. Proverbs 20:2Rank 1 from verse 14
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    2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

  2. Proverbs 19:12Rank 2 from verse 14
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    12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

  3. Ecclesiastes 10:4Rank 3 from verse 14
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    4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

  4. 2 Corinthians 5:20Rank 4 from verse 14
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    20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  5. 2 Kings 6:31–33Rank 5 from verse 14
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    31Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

    32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?

    33And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the Lord; what should I wait for the Lord any longer?

  6. Acts 12:20Rank 6 from verse 14
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    20¶ And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

  7. Daniel 3:13–25Rank 7 from verse 14
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    13¶ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

    14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

    15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

    16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

    17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

    18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

    19¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

    20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

    21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

    22Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

    23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

    24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

    25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

  8. Luke 12:4–5Rank 8 from verse 14
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    4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

    5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

  9. Mark 6:27Rank 9 from verse 14
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    27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

  10. Proverbs 17:11Rank 10 from verse 14
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    11An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

From verse 15

  1. Psalms 72:6Rank 1 from verse 15
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    6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

  2. Job 29:23–24Rank 2 from verse 15
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    23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

    24If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.

  3. Acts 2:28Rank 3 from verse 15
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    28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

  4. Hosea 6:3Rank 4 from verse 15
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    3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

  5. Proverbs 19:12Rank 5 from verse 15
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    12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

  6. Psalms 21:6Rank 6 from verse 15
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    6For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

  7. Psalms 30:5Rank 7 from verse 15
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    5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

  8. Psalms 4:6Rank 8 from verse 15
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    6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

  9. Zechariah 10:1Rank 9 from verse 15
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    1ASK ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

From verse 16

  1. Matthew 16:26Rank 1 from verse 16
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    26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

  2. Proverbs 8:10–11Rank 2 from verse 16
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    10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

    11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

  3. Proverbs 8:19Rank 3 from verse 16
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    19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

  4. Luke 12:21Rank 4 from verse 16
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    21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

  5. Ecclesiastes 7:12Rank 5 from verse 16
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    12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

  6. Proverbs 3:15–18Rank 6 from verse 16
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    15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

    16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

    17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

    18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

  7. Proverbs 4:7Rank 7 from verse 16
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    7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

  8. Job 28:13–28Rank 8 from verse 16
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    13Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

    14The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

    15It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

    16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

    17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

    18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

    19The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

    20Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

    21Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

    22Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

    23God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

    24For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

    25To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.

    26When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

    27Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

    28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

  9. Psalms 119:127Rank 9 from verse 16
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    127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:12

COMBINED MEANING

abomination

↗

Sense 1: A person, thing, act, practice, creature, or condition regarded as detestable or loathsome. Sense 2: An idol or idolatrous thing so regarded.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

commit

↗

To do or perpetrate; to entrust, deliver, consign, or place in custody.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

established

↗

Set firmly; founded, made stable, ordained, enacted, ratified, or confirmed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:13

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

delight

↗

Sense 1: To take or give great pleasure or satisfaction. Sense 2: A high degree of pleasure or satisfaction of mind; joy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

love

↗

Sense 1: Affection, attachment, delight, goodwill, commitment, or devotion. Sense 2: To regard with affection or devotion. Sense 3: A beloved person.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:14

COMBINED MEANING

wrath

↗

Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

messengers

↗

Persons who bear messages or errands; bearers of spoken or written communications or dispatches.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:15

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

countenance

↗

1. The face, or its appearance or expression. 2. Favour, regard, or presence expressed toward someone. 3. To favour or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

favour

↗

Sense 1: Goodwill, approval, acceptance, kindness, mercy, support, or beneficial regard. Sense 2: Pleasing appearance or charm. Sense 3: To regard, support, prefer, or treat kindly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

cloud

↗

Sense 1: A visible mass of vapour in the sky. Sense 2: Figuratively, a covering or multitude.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

latter

↗

Coming, occurring, or mentioned after another; the later or last of two.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rain

↗

Sense 1: Water falling in drops from the clouds. Sense 2: As a verb, to fall or pour down like rain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:16

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

get

↗

To procure; to obtain; to gain possession of, by almost any means.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

silver

↗

A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 16:11–17

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

16:11A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.

16:12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Selected passage

16:13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

Selected passage

16:14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

Selected passage

16:15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Selected passage

16:16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Selected passage

16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

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